Collapsible table



P 6, E. 1.. CEDERQUIST 1,876,400

COLLAPS IBLE TABLE Filed Sept. 5, 1951 i l I 1 11 ATTORNEY5 Patented Sept. 6, 1932 are!) STATES" EMANUEL "L; CEDEB-QUIST, F ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA coLLArsnaLE TABLE Application filed September 5, 1931. Serial No. 561,316.

This invention relates to a collapsible table of theknock 'downtype. It pertains to a table having a pedestal with an expansible frame to support a flexible top. The presentin- 6 vention contemplates a portable table, foldable into a compact bundle. and when opened providing a substantially solid top and stable support. V The objects of this invention are toprovide a top supporting frame and a flexible top, so arranged that the top is stretched when open and rests upon underlying ribs to maintain a flat surface. Another object of this invention is to provide a structure as aforesaid wherein flexible ribs stretch and support the top. A further object of this invention is to provide arib frame having a runner crown and foldable ribs attached to the crown. A still further object of this invention is'to provide foldable legs which act as stretchers for the ribs. Other objects are to provide details of construction contributing to simplicity and economy of structure, ease of collapsing and opening.

These objects together with other ObJects and corresponding accomplishments are obtained by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an elevationof my table in open position; Fig. 2 is a plan view with a portion of the top broken away to show the frame work; Fig. 8 is an elevation showing the table collapsed; and Fig. 4 is a fragmental section as seen on the line H of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the supporting or pedestal structure comprises 'four legs 5 pivotally secured intermediate their ends to a coupler block 6 upon pins 4 G which are horizontal. This provides .a crossed foldable leg structure such that when in closed position as shown in Fig. 3, the legs 5 lie parallel to one another and when in open position they are crossed. Upstanding from the block a 6 is a runner guide rod 7 upon which rides a runner crown 8. This runner crown is in a form of a sleeve as shown herein. It has flat faces at the top to which are pivoted strap ribs 9. The strap ribs are positioned with their Widths extending vertically. The ribs are resiliently flexible in a. horizontal direction and are pivotally secured at their outer ends to the legs 5. Thus, the legs act as stretchers for the ribs. The proportions of the parts are such that when the runner is in its uppermost position the ribs 9 lie in line or on center providing on their upper edges surfaces for supporting the top. On the stem 7 is a conventional retainer 10 for the runner CIOWIL.

The top 11 is of substantially square form and has pockets 12 at the corners adapted to receive the jointed ends of the ribs 9 and legs the top mounted on the legs and wrapped around the upper partof the latter is .a tie 14 provided-to hold the top in wrapped position. To openthe table the tie is loosed. The legs are then swung to crossed position and the runner 8 moved upwardly-over the retainer 10 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The top is of such dimensions that theribs' will be flexed, thereby maintaining the top in tension and also supporting the latter. There is no pressure exerted upon the retainer since the ribs 9 are on center. The top may be constructed so that the tension whenexpanded is'uniform over its surface. While I have shown a conventional runner and runner guide, it is obvious that mechanical changes may be resorted to, varying the details and what I claim is e I 1. In a collapsible table, the combination of a pedestal structure and a detachable top; said pedestal structure comprising a runner guide, a vertical runner slidably mounted on said guide, ribs pivoted to said runner and resiliently flexible in a horizontal direction, whereby said ribs may be disposed to lie me horizontal plane and on center with respect. to one another, stretcher struts for said ribs secured to said guide, a retainer for said runner to hold the ribs in expanded position; said top comprising a flexible sheet with means at the edges to attach the ends of said ribs and so spaced that when said top is stretched the ribs are flexed.

2. In a collapsible table, the combination of a pedestal structure and a detachable top; said pedestal structure comprising a coupler and runner guide, a vertical runner mounted on said coupler, ribs pivoted to said runner and resiliently flexible in a horizontal direction whereby said ribs may be disposed to lie in a horizontal plane and on center with respect to one another, stretcher struts for said ribs, a retainer for said runner to hold the ribs in expanded position; said top comprising a flexible sheet with pockets at the edges to receive the ends of said ribs, said pockets being spaced so that when said top is stretched the ribs are flexed.

. 3, In a collapsible table, thecombination of a pedestal structure and a detachable top; said pedestal structure comprising a central coupler, foldable legs secured to said coupler so as to be disposed in open top supporting relation or positioned in folded relation, a vertical runner mounted on said coupler, strap ribs pivoted to said runner and resili- .ently flexible in a horizontal direction whereby said ribs may be disposed to lie a horizontal plane and oncenter with respect to one another, said legs acting as stretchers forsaid ribs, a retainer for said runner to hold the ribs in expanded position; said top vcomprising a flexible sheet withpockets at the edges to receive the ends of said ribs, said pockets being spaced so that when said top is stretched the ribs are flexed.

4. In a collapsible table, the combination ofa pedestal structure and a detachable top; said pedestal structure comprising a central coupler, legs pivoted intermediate their ends about horizontal axes on said coupler so as to be crossed in open relation or positioned parallel in :folded relation, a vertical runner mounted on said coupler, ribs corresponding innumber to said legs pivoted to said runner and resiliently flexible so that the outer tip may be moved toward said runner said ribs being each attached at its outer end to a leg whereby said ribs may be disposed :to

lie in a horizontal plane and on center with respect to one another, said legs acting as stretchers for said ribs, a retainer for said runner to hold the ribs in expanded position; said top comprising a flexible sheet with means at the edges for detachably securing mounted on said coupler, four strap ribs pivoted to said runner and resiliently flexible only in a horizontal direction, said ribs being each attached at its outer end to a leg whereby said ribs may be disposed to lie in a horizontal plane and on center with respect to one another, said legs acting as .stretchers for said ribs, :a retainer for said runner to hold the ribs in expanded position; said top comprising a substantially square flexible sheet with pockets at the corners to receive the jointed ends of said legs and ribs, said pockets being s-paced so'that when said top is stretched the ribs are flexed, and snap clasps 011 said legs and top at said pockets to fasten the top and legs together.

6. In collapsible table, the combination of a pedestal structure and aidetachable top; said pedestal structure comprising a central coupler, legs pivoted intermediate their ends about horizontal axes on said coupler so as tobe crossed in open relation or positioned parallel in folded relation, ribs corresponding in number to said legs and pivoted at their ends therein, a central crown to which all of said ribs are pivoted, said ribs being flexible in a horizontal direction, a retainer to hold said \cnown and ribs in extended position; said.top comprising.aaflexible sheet with means at the edges to detachably secure it to the jointed ends of said legs and ribs and so spaced that when said top isstretched the ribs are flexed.

,7. In .a collapsible stable, the. combination of a pedestal structure, said pedestal structnnecomprising :a crown ggiliide rod, a crown mounted on said rod for axial movement, ribs pivoted :to said crown and res liently flexible in a horizontal direction whereby said ribs may ,be disposed to lie in a horizontal plane and on center with respect to one another, stretchersstnuts for said ribs secured to said crown,-means tomove said :crown on said rod and hold it with said :ribs extended; said top comprising a flexible sheet with means at the edges to detachably secure it .to theends aofsaid ribs and struts and so spaced that when said top is stretched the ribs are flexed,

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 28 day of August, 1931.

EMANUEL L. CEDERQUIST.

fit 

